Assembling an Apexs WTX Backplate Harness BCD
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- Опубліковано 17 лип 2024
- I couldn't find a good video on how to assemble my new Apex WTX Backplate Harness BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) so I made this one. It's not great but hopefully its helpful for anyone starting out.
The parts I started with are all from Apexs:
- WTX Harness
- Aluminum Back Plate
- WTX-D40 PSD Single Cylinder Wing
- WTX Single Tank Adapter
- SureLock Weight System - 10lb - Спорт
![T3B:How to install harness with backplate bcd tec dive step by step [Thai]](/img/n.gif)
Bolts are going through the wrong direction when you attach the backplate/harness/wing/single tank adapter. In the configuration you presented the wing nuts would come into contact with the tank when mounted. This would in turn cause the tank to not seat correctly in the STA. Tightening the straps would cause the tank to mash the wing nuts as well. Wing nuts should be on the inside and through bolts going out to in. That is also why the STA has square holes so when you tighten down the wing nut from the inside of the vest the bolt wont spin. Otherwise very informative!
Having the wing nuts the other way around makes sense so the cylinder isn't fouled, but what stops the wing nuts from digging into your back or digging in the pad and damaging/ripping the pad?
The shape of the backplate
Correct, the bolts are in backwards. Everyone seems to ask about the wing nuts hitting the diver, but as Andrei notes the shape of the backplate takes care of that. I even had a guy tell me, lose the wing nuts are you'll damage your wetsuit. He didn't say anything when I told him I had been diving that rig for over 10 years and no damage.
yup.
The nuts wont dig into most people’s back. I also purchased my own cam bands from highland. If it does the harness has a very thick comfort pad. Just got it today! Setting it up before Covid19 ends
Not saying you did it wrong, but this is not how I would set this up.
I would start with the backplate, then line the STA up with the wing, harness and backplate with the screws going in from the STA through the wing, harness and backplate.
The wingnuts go on at the backplate side, not the STA side.
The cambands then go through the slots of the STA.
This has a couple of advantages over the way you did it.
1. The wingnuts are no longer in the way of the cylinder.
2. When swapping wings, you don't need to unthread the cambands.
3. You can reposition the STA to the upper grommets if you need to mount your cylinder higher up for trim.
Thanks mate. I appreciate your honesty and hardwork
Thanks for the video, it made the assembly a lot easier.
Great job! I love Apex equipment. I would agree to switch your wing nuts around to the inside. It is the same when hooking up dual tanks. Nonetheless great video. Hats off to you dive bro
The screws are going through the wrong direction when you attach the backplate/harness/wing/single tank adapter.
great video a real help thanks
Interesting to watch. I've had this kit for 6 years but learned a few new things by watching as mine came with no instructions. I wish Apeks would make their own video version with how they intended it to be used. I was surprised there was nothing on how to attach the crotch strap, I found the one included was too wide and rigid therefore uncomfortable so bought another manufacturer's narrower one. I agree the STA is pointless. In my case I found the slots in the harness cause the tank bands to be too high and the tank valves and my first stage end up over my head leading to poor trim. I overcame that by using the backplate where this video places the STA and putting the tank bands through the backplate slots and wing then fixing the harness on by using wing screws in the grommets above the tank bands thus lifting the harness top level with the valve. Valves still fully accessible but better trim and comfort.
Just curious how you find the sizing? Thanks for the video!
As mentioned, the bolts and wing nuts have been inserted the wrong direction through the STA (Single Tank Adaptor). The wing you have already has tank roll control mechanisms built in, so the STA is not even needed. I do like the ability to slide the backplate into the WTX Harness to add weight.
also apeks single tank doughnut wing does not need single tank adapter
@@jasonduckworth1525Doesn't need it, but does help with the rigidity of the system. I use the SS BP and WTX-D40 PSD wing, and the STA. The sales rep also said that you don't need one, but I'm glad I stuck to my guns.
It makes swapping to doubles so much easier and quicker now that I don't have to unthread the cambands from the backplate. Just unscrew the wingnuts, take off the STA/cambands assembly, swap the wing, and screw on the doubles. In both setups, the wing is wedged between two steel elements, making the system a single rigid unit.
needed this thx
Thanks!
Thanks for the video. Do you need the STU? I bought the whole kit in a store in England and realized that I did not get the STU now when putting it together in Cyprus. If I do not have the STU how do you fixate the wing with the west since they are kind of loose.
You don't need an STA. You can also use book screws. There are anti-roll bars in the wing that keep the cylinder stable.
You can get an STA. That will add some trim weight, and rigidity to your system. It will also make swapping to a different wing easier if you thread the cambands through the STA instead of through the harness.
What's the advantages to this type of BCD compared to other wing types that are not back plate style?
Backplate you can adjust the harness to fit you EXACTLY just right. So your trim will be a lot better. And if one of the component broke down, you can easily replace that one component vs other BCD you basically have to replace the whole thing
A backplate adds strength and rigidity. You can't attach doubles to a non-backplate system. The Apeks WTX harness is an in-between solution. It's not a single unit, like a jacket style BCD, but it's also not as sparse as a hogarthian BP&W system.
This system will have the creature comforts of a jacket style BCD, with the modularity of a BP&W. If you're thinking of one day moving into tech diving, this is not the setup to get. You'll need a BP&W system. If you won't go beyond rec diving with doubles, this is a great system for you.
If I have the wtx harness and the tnak plate adapter, Do I need the backplate ?
Not necessarily but wit a back plate it will be more stable on your back
I find the screws very difficult to tighten. I have tightened them and they all spin around as if they are not fixated. Is this correct?
If you followed his instructions step by step, then put the bolts in the other way around, with the wingnuts on the backplate side. And don't forget to use the washers, they will help keeping the wingnuts from coming loose.
Thanks Chris. Great video! . I have bought the same arness with the same plates, but the bladder is a WTX6R; they are coming in the boat to my home, so I haven´t tried it yet. (I live in the Canary Islands). I had no idea about assembling the different parts of the system, but now, I see it is easy.
I realize, the straps you use for the tank are "Apeks GRIPLOCK", Are this straps the original ones that come with the arness?. My arness is a 2nd han one, so the seller told me that he hasn´t got theese straps, so, I need to buy it separately. GRIPLOCKS are very expensive (50 Euros each), I don´t know why (maybe the brand, the metal fastener and the logos... thats quite freaky) instead of it I have seen in a online shop a TDS straps (18 Euros each), also metal fastener made from stainless steel. This is the cheapest way to fix the problem.
If you are on Tenerife, check out 12dive. I dove with on of the owners, Alex, when he worked in Cozumel. Very nice and knowlegable and experienced with tec diving and tec gear assembly.
If you buy WTX harness, the two cam band that's coming with are regular ones. So you need to buy Apeks GripLocks separately.
@@edwinrosadi thanks for yur answer. I apreciate this even though 4 years have passed.
Hi. Why you chose size XL ? How high you are? And your weight?
I just want buy the same one. I am 168cm and 78kg. Can't decide which size to take.?!
@@romansmelohins7057 I am the same as you structurally I use the PSD40 and i m happy with it
For sure the size XL is too big for me. If I did it again, I would go with Large.
@@romansmelohins7057. I'm 174 and I go the Large and my back is quite long (short legs). I tested all sizes. My gf is also 174 and got the medium one but she has a shorter back than me and well longer legs.
@@ckenst You didn't fit the harness before you bought it? So now you've spent a fortune on a harness that doesn't fit you right.
Please people, go to your local dive shop to buy your BCD, wetsuit, mask, fins, and anything else that needs to be sized to your body. I would also argue buying your regulators there so you know they can service them.
If you can find the items cheaper online, give them a chance to do something with their pricing. Don't just fit them there, walk out the store and order them online. The service you get in the store is worth something too. A good store may spend several hours getting you fitted. If that means you pay a couple of bucks extra, that's money well spent.
1. Screws in backwards.
2. You dont thread the tank bands thru the plate if you're using an STA, you thread thru the STA slots.
3. If you dont know what you're doing, refrain from making "How To" videos. Misinformation can get people hurt.
4. When you have been shown your errors, a responsible diver would take down the video.
By now, you've either got it figured out, or drowned. Unfortunately, the video is still instructing others who will possibly follow your faulty construction, and possibly get hurt because of it.
Let's not be dramatic here. The assembly may not be great/correct, but it's not dangerous. The way he set up his plate/harness/wing/STA is completely rigid and won't come apart.
Sorry to say this, it is such a bad design. 1) what is the sta here. It is really just serving as weight. 2) same for the plate. Both don't need to be there for the BC to function. They are just very expansive weight.
Sorry to say this, but both serve a purpose. You buy this harness because you want to be able to switch between singles and doubles, and you'll definitely need a backplate if you're going to mount doubles.
The STA provides more rigidity for the cylinder, making it a single solid unit. You don't "need" it, but having it definitely has its benefits. It also makes swapping to doubles a lot easier (if you thread the cambands through the STA like you're supposed to).
You do know it's spelled Apeks, right?